Foreign Residents and Disaster Preparedness in Japan: Why Multicultural Support Matters
Foreign Residents and Disaster Preparedness in Japan: Why Multicultural Support Matters
As the number of foreign residents in Japan continues to grow, disaster preparedness is becoming an important issue for local communities, employers, and registered support organizations. This article explains why translation alone is not enough and what can be prepared before an emergency occurs.
This article is also available in Japanese: 外国人住民と防災
- Disaster information for foreign residents is becoming a practical issue in Japan.
- Translation alone may not lead to safe evacuation behavior.
- Employers, schools, and registered support organizations should explain basic disaster information before emergencies occur.
- Foreign residents should also be viewed as potential partners in local disaster preparedness.
Foreign Residents in Japan and Disaster Preparedness
The number of foreign residents in Japan continues to increase. According to the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, the number of foreign residents reached 4,125,395 at the end of 2025, exceeding 4 million for the first time. Foreign nationals are now important members of local communities, workplaces, and schools in Japan.
At the same time, disaster preparedness for foreign residents remains an important issue. JAPAN Forward recently reported that Japan needs to improve disaster preparedness by taking language barriers and cultural differences into account. The article also emphasizes that foreign residents should not be viewed only as people who need help during disasters, but also as potential partners in local disaster preparedness.
Translation Alone Is Not Enough
During disasters in Japan, people often hear terms such as “evacuation shelter,” “tsunami,” “warning level,” “disaster victim certificate,” and “water supply station.” These words may be difficult to understand for people who did not grow up in Japan.
Even foreign residents who can speak everyday Japanese may not fully understand disaster-related terms or the level of danger behind them. For example, knowing the word “tsunami” does not necessarily mean knowing when and how quickly to evacuate. Disaster support requires more than multilingual translation. Plain Japanese, visual guidance, evacuation route checks, and emergency contact rules should be prepared in ordinary times.
Multilingual Disaster Support Centers and Regional Differences
In large-scale disasters, local governments may establish multilingual disaster support centers. These centers can dispatch interpreters to evacuation shelters, translate disaster information, and provide information in plain Japanese.
According to the JAPAN Forward article, a 2024 survey by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications found that only 163 local governments, fewer than 10% of Japan’s 47 prefectures and 1,741 municipalities, had systems in place to establish such centers during a disaster. This means that support capacity may differ significantly depending on the region.
The Fire and Disaster Management Agency also explains in its 2024 White Paper that it promotes multilingual display sheets and guidelines for disaster information communication and evacuation guidance for foreign visitors and others.
What Employers Can Do Before a Disaster
Companies that employ foreign workers should consider not only visa management and labor management, but also basic disaster preparedness. Advance explanation is especially important for newly arrived foreign nationals, Specified Skilled Workers in regional areas, international students, and dependent family members who may not be confident in Japanese.
Specified Skilled Worker and Registered Support Organization Matters
When accepting Specified Skilled Workers, accepting organizations and registered support organizations should consider not only applications and notifications, but also the practical support structure for stable life in Japan. Disaster preparedness is not just kindness. It is part of the foundation for safe and stable work and life in Japan.
Housing location, commuting routes, night and holiday contact rules, evacuation shelters, and work-related communication during disasters should be explained before confusion occurs.
Foreign Residents Can Also Support the Community
In multicultural disaster preparedness, foreign residents should not be seen only as people who receive support. Some foreign residents can speak both Japanese and their native language. Others have strong connections with people from the same language or cultural background. They may also understand religious or dietary needs that Japanese staff may overlook.
During a disaster, foreign residents may help share information with people who speak the same language or explain problems at evacuation shelters to Japanese staff. The important point is to build relationships before disasters happen.
Perspective of an Immigration Lawyer and Registered Support Organization
In immigration and foreign employment support, people often focus on applications, contracts, taxes, and social insurance. However, for foreign residents in Japan, knowing where to evacuate, what to do, and whom to contact during a disaster is also part of a stable life.
Foreign residents, employers, and supporters should prepare a reasonable support structure that covers not only visa and employment management, but also daily life and emergency response.
Consultation on Foreign Employment, SSW, and RSO Support
Tommy’s Legal Service supports foreign residents, employers, and organizations with immigration procedures, foreign employment, Specified Skilled Worker matters, and Registered Support Organization-related consultations. We help organize the facts, required documents, support structure, and explanation policy for immigration-related matters.
